Leadership is a crucial force in driving positive change within communities. But what does it take to be an effective community leader? I worked with a team of researchers to develop a theory based model of Community Leadership which we think will help to highlight the skills necessary.
Identifying the Issue (Initiating and Spread of Interest): It all starts with recognizing a problem within the community. Maybe it's a lack of educational resources, deteriorating infrastructure, or something else entirely. Your role as a Community Leader is to pinpoint these issues.
Getting Organized (Organization of Sponsorship): To tackle complex issues, you often need an organization to back you up. This involves planning, building relationships, and promoting teamwork among community members.
Clarifying Goals (Goal Setting and Strategy Formulation): Once you've identified the problem, you need to set clear goals. What do you want to achieve? These goals act as your roadmap for creating change.
Creating a Strategy (Goal Setting and Strategy Formulation): With your organization in place, it's time to develop a strategy. How will you achieve your goals? This step requires collaboration and coordination with your team.
Spreading the Word (Recruitment): Communication is key. You'll need to inform your community about the issue and your plans to address it. Rallying support and getting people interested is a big part of the process.
Resource Mobilization (Recruitment): To make things happen, you might need resources, whether it's funds, volunteers, or supplies. You'll need to inspire others to join your cause and help gather these resources.
Putting Plans into Action (Implementation of Strategy and Plans): This is where the rubber meets the road. You implement your strategy and work towards your goals.
Monitoring Progress (Implementation of Strategy and Plans): Finally, you must continuously monitor your efforts' success. Are you making a difference? If not, it might be time to adjust your approach.
Community leadership is all about facilitating change through a series of non-linear steps. It's not about holding a formal position of authority but rather using influence and collaboration to drive positive transformations in your community. By understanding this process, aspiring community leaders can better prepare themselves to create meaningful change.
I've included a the final manuscript for a more detailed description below:
Lamm, K. W., Carter, H. S., Lamm, A. J., & Lindsey, A. B. (2017). Community leadership: a theory-based model. Journal of Leadership Education, 16(3), 118-133. https://doi.org/10.12806/V16/I3/T2
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